Lord Have Mercy On ME!

Still pondering part of Bartemaeus' story as it is recorded in Mark 10:46-52.

Bartemaeus is sitting by the roadside (forced to the margins), looked down on as a blind beggar.  Along comes Jesus and a big crowd of people is following Jesus.  Bart calls out to Jesus, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"  But some of the crowd of people who are following Jesus, tell Bart to "Shut Up!"

That's the part that I am pondering.  How often do I try to keep people from connecting with Jesus?  How many times have I dismissed people on the margins from encountering Jesus?  My actions, words, way of life - all have a way of dismissing people, pushing people farther away from Jesus. 

And isn't it interesting, that Bart has something to teach me!  For those times in my life when I write people off, or push them to the margins, or try to keep them from Jesus - I need to shout out like Bart... "Lord Have Mercy on ME!"

Think about the impact the church (those who follow Jesus) could have if we cried out, "Lord Have Mercy On ME!" and stopped doing things that inhibited people from connecting with Jesus.

Jesus tries to teach us that in this encounter!  For he tells those following him to tell Bart to "come"!  In the matter of seconds, Jesus and Bart teach us a shift we need to make in our lives... from "shut up" to "come"!
Lord Have Mercy on ME! and YOU!  and US!